Heather Nicole Parrish and John Patrick Jandl were united in matrimony at Akiin Beach Tulum in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on April 23rd. The bride is the daughter of Heidi and William Parrish of Venice, Florida. Her groom is the son of Ann and George “Rusty” Jandl of Prairie Village, Kansas. The groom’s parents hosted […]

Elizabeth Phillips Starr and Captain Edward James Gallagher, United States Army, were married on December 30th at Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The bride is the daughter of Alicia Noonan Starr of Kansas City and the late John Starr. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of Wilmagene and Lewis Noonan of Leawood, Kansas, and […]

“The giving of love is an education in itself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt In the English language, love is a word that has many different dimensions. It is uniquely personal, as no experience with it is exactly the same, and yet it is an experience that we all strive to understand better. Love is the foundation […]

                    Featured in the July 9, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Doctors Kelley and Douglas Thompson of Mission Hills, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Nicole Thompson, to Dr. Brandon Ray Bachar, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Bachar of Olathe, Kansas. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Donna Romans of Kansas City, Missouri, the late Mr. Glen Romans, and […]

Wedding gifts have varied over the years as much as brides’ hair styles and dresses have changed. Need we remind our dear readers that dowries used to be the only thing that made a wedding happen – or not happen – in many an instance? It was commonplace for a bride to come equipped with […]

Sometimes a single sartorial decision can bring about life-altering consequences. Brian Keith Gamble could not possibly have known, when he donned his 2015 Crestwood Red Mid Basketball Shoes for the flight home to South Carolina on Christmas morning 2015, that he’d be meeting a dazzling ballet dancer later that day.  And Kansas City Ballet Company […]

Aja Mackenzie James and James Matthew Radel were united in matrimony on May 7th at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. The bride is the daughter of Licia Clifton-James and Sylvester James, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri. Aja is the granddaughter of Florene Clifton of Kansas City and Melva James of Las Vegas, Nevada. Her groom […]

Mr. and Mrs. William John Aliber of Mission Hills, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Julian Carr Aliber, to Peter Griffin Dolle, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lodge Dolle III of Cincinnati, Ohio. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Patton Kline of Mission Hills and […]

The Kansas City Symphony League held its annual Spring Luncheon on May 11th at The River Club. Jenny Erdman and Silvy Brookby were the co-hosts for the event, and Symphony Ball Honorary Chairman Marny Sherman was the special guest.       Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo Credit: Heirloom […]

The Jewel Ball Prelude Party officially kicked off the 2022 Jewel Ball season on June 2nd. The festive event was held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Lauri Jones and Jenny Turner Tuttle served as the Prelude Party co-chairmen. This year’s Debutantes, Gentlemen of The Jewel Ball, and Escorts were introduced to representatives […]

The Belles of the American Royal are pleased to announce that Amy Ball Polen will serve as the BOTAR president for 2022. Amy is a BOTAR, class of 1991. In addition to leading several committees, Amy was vice president of public relations in 2006, vice president of The BOTAR Ball in 2012, and vice president […]

The Folly Theater’s annual Folly Golf Tournament was held on May 23rd at Oakwood Country Club. Alex Solorio served as the chairman. Golfers enjoyed a bagpipe serenade for the early start and finished with scotch and cigars in the afternoon.         Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent. Photo […]

On May 12th, a luncheon was held at The Kansas City Country Club in celebration of the CRA 100th Anniversary. Members of Mercy Auxiliary, the predecessor of the Children’s Relief Association, began donating their time, talents, and funds to Children’s Mercy Hospital in 1922. Doe Loftus served as the CRA 100th Anniversary chairman, and Julie […]

The 41st Annual Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic benefited the food initiatives of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. More than 160 golfers participated in the event, which was held on May 9th at Lake Quivira Country Club.    Featured in the June 25, 2022 issue of The Independent.

Guests had three evenings to enjoy the American Royal ProRodeo this May, each with a different theme: Cinco de Mayo, Nurses Day, and Kentucky Derby. The fun commenced with pre-parties featuring food trucks, libations, vendors, and games. Among the PRCA-sanctioned events were bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and mutton bustin’. […]

Blue Hills Country Club was the site for AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation’s Charity Pro-Am. Each sponsor of the May 16th event received a foursome in the tournament, including play with a Korn Ferry Tour pro golfer competing in the AdventHealth Championship. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Foundation’s unrestricted fund which is used to provide […]

Kids Night Out, a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, was held on May 21st at the Overland Park Convention Center. Zalman Kohen was the honorary chairman, and Andy Burczyk served as the chairman. The evening’s program featured Abby Eden as the emcee, and Jayden, the Youth of the Year, […]

When a beloved grandmother asks for a poem to be memorized and recited, consider it done. Glenn North, at the age of eight, did exactly what his grandmother challenged him to, and since then, he’s been devoted to poetry – and activism. The poem was “If” by Rudyard Kipling, and it carries with it a […]

The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for the Fur Ball Gala, a benefit for Wayside Waifs. The event, held on May 14th, featured cocktails, a gourmet dinner, an auction, and a program. The honorary co-chairmen were Carol and Joe Suhor and the Honorable Ann Mesle and Terry Christenberry. Gary Lezak served as the emcee, […]

May 17th was the date for Hats Off to Mothers, a benefit for Life Unlimited, which was held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Bonne Illig, Kristina Klug, Kim Stevens, Lenise Ward, Ashlee Bressel, Rachel Thompson, and Angie Mareski, all of VanBrock, served as co-chairmen. The honorees were Zulema Bassham, Jamie […]